In the month of February we all expect something special from our subscription services, especially from more expensive boxes like POPSUGAR MustHave. Maybe my high expectations caused me to not like this one as much as I would have, or maybe the quality is slowly going downhill, but I really felt a bit let down. Compared to last February, this box didn’t feel like much of a treat, but maybe that’s just me. I should just stop whining and let you see for yourself what I got, and tell me what you think about this month’s selection.
HOW IT WORKS
With POPSUGAR Must Have, you’ll get an exciting monthly box, full of hand-selected items from POPSUGAR editors. Each box will include a variety of full-sized products and premium items worth over $100 (ARV). It costs $39.95/month and you can use the code REFERF5 to get a special one-time $5 discount off your first box.
If you would like to use my referral link please click here to subscribe to PopSugar Must Have. Thank you!
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| POPSUGAR Must Have Box February 2014 – contents |
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| Gorjana&Griffin Brooks Jewelry Roll |
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| Gorjana&Griffin Brooks Jewelry Roll – crooked zipper closeup |
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| Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum |
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| Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum |
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| Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts |
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| ModelCo Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick |
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| NCLA Nail Polish |
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| K Hall Designs Peony Travel Candle |
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| Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash |
Gorjana&Griffin Brooks Jewelry Roll in Tulip – This was supposed to be the big ticket item in February box, however, many subscribers report imperfections like faulty zippers, tugs, and other manufacturing defects. I suspect that these are leftovers from the recent clearance sale that G&G had last month. As you can see, the roll I got also had a weird-looking zipper, but at least it’s fully operational. My husband and I used to travel a lot in the past, but right now we have too many other expenses, so I’m not sure when I’m going to use this one, hopefully soon. This jewelry roll came with a $25 discount code to gorjana-griffin.com, which doesn’t stack with any other sales and promotions, nor can it be used towards shipping charges, so I doubt I will be redeeming it.
Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum – Looks like Nourish Organic has been getting their name out there by making appearances in various subscription services. Just recently we saw them in Ipsy bags, and now they migrated to POPSUGAR. I have combination skin, but currently due to winter weather and indoor heating it feels dry and tight, and this serum actually made my face feel very soft and comfortable. I like the price tag, too, because if it turns out to be a must have for me, I know that it won’t break the bank.
K Hall Designs Peony Travel Candle – I like the smell of peonies, and one of my favorite fragrances happens to be Pivoine Flora by L’Occitane, so I was happy to receive this candle. However, don’t you think it’s a bit small? I put a quarter by the tin for comparison just so you can get some perspective. I haven’t burned mine yet, but all of the reviewers mention that it has a very weak throw. Too bad, because I would have loved to have my living room filled with the lovely scent of peonies. Guess now I have an excuse to go raid TJ Maxx for something similar 🙂
ModelCo Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick – I like the concept of dual-ended lip gloss and lipstick, it’s very handy when I have to go somewhere with a tiny purse that can only hold a couple products, keys, id, credit card and a phone. This particular duo contains Strip Tease lip gloss and Nude lipstick, which I already received it in a Glossybox last year, so it will be going to my gift pile. Click here if you want to see swatches.
NCLA Nail Polish in Rodeo Drive Royalty – This is a very lovely shade that goes well with Valentine’s Day theme. I already have several very similar colors, but decided to keep it anyway, since I’m a terrible polish hoarder. Swatches coming up in another dedicated post later this week.
Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts – This is just same old cinnamon candy, with a shape distantly resembling hearts, and packaged in adorable little box. I’m not a huge fan of these, but my husband loved them.
Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash – … ?? o_0 <- pretty much my expression when I opened the box. There are so many other drugstore body washes they could have included, like Burt’s Bees, Derma E, Alba or other similar higher quality brands. At least I like the fragrance, so I’ll probably use it as a bubble bath.
THE VERDICT
Tell me, girls, am I just being a spoiled brat? Would you be happy if you paid $40 for this box? I feel like I almost have to force myself to like everything here. One item I truly enjoyed is the serum, so I look forward to using it daily, but I’m indifferent to everything else. Or maybe I’m just sampled out, and this is a sign that I need to take a break from subscription boxes, and maybe that will reignite my interest. March is just around the corner, too, so I look forward to that box. I found that Spring/Summer boxes have been my favorite so far 🙂
Are you a POPSUGAR MustHave subscriber? What did you think of this month’s box?
| Product | Retail value |
|---|---|
| ModelCo Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick | $12.25 |
| K Hall Designs Peony Travel Candle | $11.00 |
| Nourish Organic Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum | $23.99 |
| Gorjana&Griffin Brooks Jewelry Roll | $45.00 |
| NCLA Nail Polish | $16.00 |
| Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts | $6.25 |
| Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash | $3.00 |
| Box Retail Value | $117.49 |
If I have paid forty clams for that box I’d have been pitching a royal hissy fit. It looks like a pile of leftovers, not a curated selection of special things. Bah! They owe you an apology! 😛
I kinda feel guilty about complaining, because after all it’s a surprise box, so we should be ready for anything, even a box of rocks. This month is my least favorite so far =/
I went to Target and saw they carry the Nourish line. I also went and found the Dial and smelled it and it smells like crap! I had Popsugar for Feb, March and April 2013 and then cancelled and I’m so glad I did. I’ve been following along for the rest of the year and it’s been a mishmash of drugstore brands and crap!
Good to know that Target carries Nourish, I actually really liked this serum and will likely purchase more. Lucky for you that you canceled, I think this is their worst box to date.
Meeeeh. I don’t think I’d be happy either. I’m sorry this was a bust for you!
Yeah, for that $40 I could have gotten an Hourglass blush =/
The jewelry roll and NCLA polish are nice
You already like this box more than I do 🙂
Love that NCLA polish. Looks like a lovely red!
Yeah, it’s cute, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase it. I have several months left on my pre-paid subscription plan, hopefully next few boxes are better.
They used to have much nicer things in them. I’d be pissed that the jewelry roll is busted! Cinnamon candy and Dial body wash? Grr.
Yep, the boxes were much higher quality, but it declined over the past few months. I hope it’s not an ongoing trend, and they’ll be back on track soon.
I’m not thrilled with the contents, but I agree that the facial oil looks like the most exciting!
Yeah. It’s pretty nice and affordable, so I look forward to using it.
Nothing in this box wows me 🙁 Such a bummer.
That was my first thought, too. But at least I like the serum now, so it wasn’t a complete bust.
Looks like a nice box this month!
I wish I thought the same way, Laura, because I hate being super negative 😉 But it makes me feel better knowing that there are many people who loved this month’s selection and wouldn’t feel like they just wasted their money <3
I think $40 is more than double what I would be willing to pay for this. The items are nice but those samples are smaller than regular sample sizes, in my opinion.
Agreed, Kimberly, I think I’d pay around $20ish for it, but no more, and some people actually did, because PSMH had a 50% off coupon. I don’t mind the sizes, because everything seems to be retail-sized, but the quality screams “box of leftovers” to me.
I think the contents look amazing, but I’m in Australia so we don’t get much variety here.
I’m glad you like it Kimmi, I wish I could somehow just give you some of this stuff. It will make me feel better knowing that someone is genuinely happy to use these goodies 🙂
Everything looks so amazing 🙂
I’m glad you like it, Betzy 🙂
What an awesome box!!! I’d be stoked about the candy, NCLA polish and I love Model Co too!
I’m glad you said that, even despite my negativity toward this box. It makes me feel better knowing that not everyone hated their boxes this month.
This is a great box! Love the jewelry roll despite the crooked zipper!
I’m glad you love it, at least it makes me think that not everyone is a negative Nancy like I am 🙂
what the heck that dial body wash doing in this expensive box!!! I am making the same eyes like you- o.0 (lol)
Yeah, what’s with that! And in other months we got NYX, which I’m okay with because those are at least easily re-giftable. But Dial?
You’re no snob, you have taste, that’s what it is. Dial, ugh! Feb box is unappealing, except for the nail polish.
Well, I was trying to choose my words carefully, because I didn’t want to offend people that do like these products. I’m certainly very disappointed in this month’s box, and although I hope PSMH learns from this and won’t include any more lower end drugstore products, I realistically think that this will be an ongoing trend, since they seem to be struggling financially right now.
I used to ooh and ahh over popsugar boxes when they first came out. I was in college then and obviously, $40 a month for a subscription box was not going to be put in the budget. Now, whenever I see popsugar unboxings, I’m just “meh” about them. The jewelry roll would be nice but, a broken zipper?really?
A tiny candle? Dial soap? What are they thinking? Also, the nail polish is nice, but I’m so over nail polishes in subscription boxes I could scream.
Totally agree with you, Paige. After I looked at all my previous PSMH reviews, just to get some perspective, it was evident that the overall quality was steadily going downhill for the past few months. I’m guessing they must really be struggling, but still trying to put together decent boxes so people don’t all quit.
I stopped buying PopSugar Must Have because of the inconsistency of the boxes. Sometimes I’d get the most amazing products and others I’d be very disappointed. When they send things like the Dial it feels like they are selling out.
See, I wish I just stayed on a month-to-month basis so that I could cancel anytime just like that, but I was so impressed with summer boxes that I prepaid in advance to save some money. I’m now stuck with several more months on my subscription, and boxes I don’t even really like.
oh my god that jewelry roll is beautiful – really a must-have!
Glad you like it, Chrissy 🙂
I’m going to give Popsugar one more month. I do like the Nourish serum and NCLA polish (I’m wearing it now – it applied well and is a beautiful color). The G&G jewelry roll will come in handy but it does not feel like a $45 accessory. I’m kind of tired of G&G stuff in boxes and haven’t been very happy with the quality (I got a scarf in Fab, Fit Fun box and it’s scratchy and looks/feels inexpensive). I’ll definitely use the Dial soap because it’s a basic, but it doesn’t feel “indulgent” and I pay $40 to be treated to things I wouldn’t normally think to buy. The candy was just ordinary and what you’d find in a 2 for $1 bag at the quick shop. The lipgloss has a nice flavor, but I’ve had no luck in getting the lipstick or the gloss to stay on for more than a few minutes. I hate to whine but. . . .I think Popsugar should have done more to justify their price hike. I remember when they first came out they promised ‘luxury, high end items’ but now they only seem to offer nice items in the luxury edition boxes. After next month I’ll cancel and save my money for the LE boxes!
I hear you, Sadie, those are precisely my thoughts. Although I do like G&G, I just wish they included items that aren’t overstock/defective. I still have several months left on my subscription, we’ll see if things get better. I really hope that they do, because this used to be my favorite monthly box to receive.
I love the photo editing on your site! Do you do your headline pics manually or use a program?
Anyways, this box was meh. I mean, I was okay with most of the stuff but most of it has an inflated value. The lipstick is horrible on me–the color is a boring brown, so I guess I’m just using the gloss. I like the jewelry roll but I’m probably gonna be too lazy to use it.
Did you order the special edition box?
Thank you Rosa! I use picmonkey.com to edit my photos (contrast, sharpness and lighting adjustments), and then canva.com to make collages and add fun effects like big chunks of text and all sorts of cool overlays. Best of all? Both sites are free to use! 🙂
I didn’t order the SE box for financial reasons: $100 for a box if random things is a bit to steep for me right now, but I’m going to live vicariously through other bloggers and look forward to reading everyone’s reviews.
I get what you’re saying about the jewelry roll etc. When I feel like I have to get creative to find a use for things (or just too lazy to use them), that’s a sign I never needed them to begin with. Fingers crossed for a decent March box.